Ruby Bridges:
Facing the Unknown All Alone
 Introduction: A long time ago black and white students didn't go to school together. Black and white students had to go to different schools. One little girl named Ruby Bridges was the first black student to ever go to school with white students. In November of 1960, she walked up the stairs of William Frantz Public School, New Orleans. New Orleans public schools had been forced to desegregate under federal court order. Public schools were changed forever.

Task: As groups of four you will create an episode of documentary about school desegregation. You will specifically discuss Ruby Bridges and the desegregation of New Orleans' schools. Each person will have a role to play during this activity. The roles are:
    1.  Ruby Bridges: During the role play this person will be Ruby Bridges.
         Why did you go to that school? How did you feel? What are you
         doing now?
    2.  Reporter: This person will ask questions. You should do research into
         how the process of segregation began and how it ended. Think of
         some delving questions which you can ask Ruby and the other
         members of panel.
    3.  Mrs. Henry: This person will be Ruby's first teacher. What kind of
         students was Ruby? What was it like to know that you were teaching
         a child who had changed the face public schools forever?
    4.  White student: You will sort of represent the school population. Why
         didn't you want black student to go to school with you? Did you really
         know any black people or have your parents just told you about them?

Resources:
What were Jim Crow law's? How did Jim Crow law's affect the way African-Americans lived their everyday lives?  Jim Crow Law's

Here is another web page that will give you information about early segregation in America.  The History of Early Segregation

This web page explains what legal actions had to take place before white students and African-American students were allowed to go to school together.  Brown vs. Board of Education

This is Ruby Bridges' own webpage. It is full of information and pictures about her.    Ruby Bridges

This web page is the transcript of an interview with ruby Bridges on PBS. This interview was done after Ruby grew up. Interview with Ruby Bridges

This web page will give you information about what life has been like since segregation ended. Historical Textbook Since Desegregation


Process:
    1.  Conduct internet search to gather information about school
         desegregation and Ruby Bridges.
    2.  Using the information you gather present to class a live episode of
         your "talk show" to the class. Your presentation must include the
         following information:
                    - How did school segregation begin?
                    - Why was it ended and how?
                    - Factual information about Ruby Bridges and events
                      surrounding
                      her attendance at William Frantz Public School.
                    - What are some reasons that people did not want to
                      desegregate schools?
                    - Information about how schools have changed since
                      desegregation?

Evaluation:
 
Task
Beginning
(1point)
Developing
(2 points)
Accomplished
(3 points)
Exemplary
(4 points)
Set The set was somewhat  interesting and somewhat represented ther area where such an interview would occur. The was interesting and represented the area where such an interview would take place. The set was interesting and accurately represented the area where such an interview would take place. The set was very interesting and very accurately portrayed an area where such an interview would take place.
Presentation The presentation was somewhat interesting and engaging. The presentation was interesting and engaged most of the audience. The presentation was interesting and engaged all of the audience. The presentation was interesting and involved all the audience.  The audience participated in the presentation.
Information The information presented was somewhat accurate but few details were presented. The information presented was accurate and included some detail. The information presented was accurate and included many details. The information presented was accurate and included many details.  Personal reflections of the information is presented/discussed.


Closure:Through this activity you have learned how to integrate information from many different internet resources in order to create an actual talk show, based upon the events surrounding Ruby Bridges and her attending public schools to end segregation. It is hoped that you have gained an appreciation for the freedom and equality that all American enjoy today.